Alicia’s Top 10 TV Movies of 2020

No place has felt more like my second home than a movie theatre. There’s nothing quite like catching that first showing of a franchise’s latest film with a bucket of popcorn or watching the trailers for upcoming movies on the big screen for the first time.

Unfortunately, this year witnessed cinemas close their doors and film productions shut down in the wake of the pandemic. So, I turned to streaming platforms for comfort and I have to say, 2020’s onslaught of small-screen films did not disappoint.

TV movies gave us the entertainment we could celebrate from the safety of our couches, from intoxicating teen rom-coms to masterfully choreographed fight scenes to strong protagonists who did not throw away their shot!

In no particular order, here are the 10 TV Movies of 2020 that replicated the authentic theatre experience and allowed me to embrace entertainment in its many forms.

1. Work It

I couldn’t tell you if the dancing in this film is good. I can’t even bring myself to say the dialogue is good. But what Work It lacks in quality and precision, it more than makes up for with intoxicating teen spirit and fresh-faced talent.

It’s harmless fun in the form of the traditional dance movie, and we could all use more fun in our lives these days. The upbeat soundtrack and infectious preference of this underdog dance troupe will have even the most reluctant of viewers on their feet by the time the credits roll.

Work It’s main appeal can be attributed to its cast of plucky young actors. Sabrina Carpenter’s experimental street style exudes cool, Liza Koshi’s comedy expertise allows her to land some solid one-liners, and Keiynan Lonsdale as the rival dance team leader is an egotistical delight.

Unfortunately, that’s not why I love this film, not really.

Jordan Fisher doesn’t miss a beat as our trusty love interest. The Dancing with the Stars champion and Netflix heartthrob brings the heat with a suave performance so damn charming, I’m still swooning.

2. Project Power

For a year without summer blockbusters and air-conditioned theatres to escape to for some much-needed entertainment, Project Power has impeccable timing.

This small-screen action thriller brings the big-budgeted feel of a blockbuster to our couches with a supercharged premise and a diverse cast of anti-heroes.

The concept that a special pill can grant takers with deadly superpowers quickly gets out of control, sending New Orleans into a chaotic turf war of crime. It’s a dark collage of explosive special effects, gritty cinematography, and only slightly mindless violence.

The plot and dialogue aren’t the stars, but the three expert leads (Jamie Foxx, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Dominique Fishback) tasked with carrying the weight of this ambitious story are resourceful. They stay on the ground where their plucky antics and morally-grey behavior won’t get lost.

The film trades in unnecessary world-building and flimsy backstories to focus on the kind of fleeting entertainment I can actually enjoy.

3. Hamilton

Hamilton’s streaming debut did not throw away its shot to give us a flawless reenactment of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit Broadway show in all its original glory.

The opportunity to experience Alexander Hamilton’s rap musical for the first time with the original cast and the high-definition clarity of Jonathan Groff’s spit is the greatest gift I could have asked of television this year.

As someone that struggles to find enjoyment in theatre and musicals, I am blown away by the calibre of storytelling, song, and performances this production delivers from start to finish. The cast is phenomenal, comical, and straight-up unstoppable as they sing their way through this energetic history lesson.

From King George being reduced to a spoiled man child to Burr’s redemption arc through powerful ballads, Hamilton is a no holds barred spectacle of musical and American history that gets better with every act. Even the intermission halfway through adds to the authentic experience of watching this performance live.

This Broadway production’s streaming success isn’t a moment, it’s most definitely a movement.

4. To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You

I’m convinced hopeless romantic Lara Jean and her baked goods can make anything better.

That seems to be the case for To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, the sequel to Netflix’s 2018 hit teen rom-com based on Jenny Han’s beloved book series.

This sequel doesn’t quite capture the magic of the first film but it’s every bit the nostalgic teenage fever dream of first loves and heartbreak that I fell in love with all those years ago.

Peter Kavinsky continues to charm us with his swagger as the patriarch of the high school lacrosse team and his intoxicating affection seems to burn brighter for Lara Jean with every scene Noah Centineo and Lana Condor share.

This young adult adaptation is nothing if not understanding of its brand and so we get even more cute boys to gush over. Enter John Ambrose, played by none other than Jordan Fisher, to sweep us off our feet with his sophisticated taste and natural likeability once again.

Lara Jean’s story is elevated teen romance in its best and brightest form. I can fall back into the comforting world of young love and enjoy the candy-coloured lens through which our protagonist sees her coming-of-age story. The soundtrack of passionate pop and high-end teen fashion instantly transports me into my favourite rom-com world.

And if you only watch this film to see Jordan Fisher kill it as John Ambrose, know I will not judge you.

5. Onward

A Pixar film that is equal parts heartwarming, adventurous, and emotionally devastating? Onward checks all those boxes.

Tom Holland and Chris Pratt bring this adventurous family fantasy to life, voicing two elf brothers at odds with each other who set out on a quest to spend one final day with their late father.

It’s a lovely whimsical premise brimming with dragons and magical artifacts that surely has the potential to break your hearts into a million pieces despite Pixar’s love for bittersweet endings and the whole dead dad thing.

Onward also recognizes that there’s still a mother somewhere who is worried sick about her two sons going on a quest and gives Julia Louis-Dreyfus a glorious quest of her own, complete with an epic monster team-up and a powerful sword-wielding end battle.

Besides the potential therapy after watching this film, I found it incredibly enjoyable to follow in step with this story’s mythical world-building, its beautifully flawed characters, and that clutch childhood whimsy in the face of overwhelming odds.

6. The Princess Switch: Switched Again

What could be better than one princess switch? As it turns out, another princess switch.

Yes, The Princess Switched: Switched Again proves that the magic of Vanessa Hudgens’ first film and its crazy Christmas-centric premise can absolutely be duplicated. I personally love how far Netflix is willing to push this seemingly one-beat concept in the name of feel-good holiday entertainment.

Margaret and Stacy have plenty of princess swapping shenanigans left to captivate us this holiday season. Margaret and Kevin’s relationship troubles are a welcoming addition to the plot, as are Kevin’s cable-knit sweaters and post-breakup sweatpants.

The addition of evil doppelganger Fiona allows this sequel the opportunity to stand on its own. This money-obsessed antagonist isn’t the sharpest royal in the room, but she makes up for it with a Home Alone-esque kidnapping and one truly wicked personality, complete with another insane accent from Hudgens.

This franchise continues to be a gem of a holiday rewatch thanks to its lighthearted comedy, elegant settings, and sincere intentions.

The came for A Christmas Prince is pretty great, too — even if it makes zero sense in the established Netflix holiday-verse.

7. The Lovebirds

This high-stakes rom-com allows Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani the proper platform to play off each other with their powerful comedic timing and endless back and forth banter.

It’s a comedy dream team couple.

These two bring fresh talent and sharp wit to The Lovebirds‘ typical buddy comedy setup. Their electrifying chemistry helps keeps the story from falling entirely to the chaos it has created, and there’s something comical about their characters’ complete inability to read the severity of the situation.

It’s not smart cinema by any means, but there’s plenty to enjoy about this movie, and that’s all that really matters. The film isn’t afraid to go big with the city landscape as its playground but understands that the real humour comes in the authentic nature of Leilani and Jibran’s crumbling relationship.

The ongoing discussion of whether or not they would win The Amazing Race is not only relatable, it’s one of this film’s funniest running bits.

8. Enola Holmes

It’s no mystery as to why Enola Holmes is a welcoming addition to Baker Street.

The younger sister to Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes has her own entertaining ways of solving the mysteries afoot and brings a youthful fun to the familiar sleuthing-shenanigans of this whodunit.

I appreciated the charm Millie Bobby Brown brings to her quirky uber-smart heroine, and Henry Cavill as our Sherlock Holmes is an element of historical fiction I never knew I needed until now.

The fast pacing, clever editing, and masterful flow of movement give this movie a super-charged sleuthing feel with high-stakes action sequences and a genuine mystery all wrapped up in one beautiful cinematic bow.

It’s not lost on me that this year boasted some pretty incredible female-led projects and I’m happy to see Enola Holmes leave its own mark on the genre with women who burst from their boxes and take aim at society’s ridiculous notions of what a woman should be — as opposed to all the incredible things she can be.

9. The Old Guard

The Old Guard is a recent discovery for me and one I’m ashamed I did not watch sooner, because this may just be the best film to come out of this year.

The movie follows a group of immortal warriors that grapple with their inability to stay dead in a world at war with itself. Their lack of understanding when it comes to their invincibility lends to this premise’s heart-pounding stakes.

The violence driving this film is orchestrated and calculated, never undermining the skill of its soldiers. Each choreographed fight sequence reminds me of Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s breathtaking elevator scene. This visually appealing violence is an assault on my eyes and I can’t get enough of it.

This film isn’t just spectacular because it knows how to throw a punch. This film allows its immortal beings to be fleshed out and flawed human beings. I hate action films that rely on two-dimensional characters, and this film can’t help but give depth to every character it comes into contact with.

Joe and Nicky are a delight as this film’s immortal couple. Hundreds of years to fall out of love and their passion for each other still burns bright. Their inappropriate banter in moments of distress is incredibly enjoyable, as is Joe’s distaste with the word “boyfriend.”

The entire ensemble are standouts as they go from reluctant family to a team that moves as one. Nile is a new recruit who earns her final stand and Brooker’s wildcard nature elevates the plot’s unpredictability. Charlize Theron carries the lead as Andy, who is equal parts badass and mysterious. Theron deserves all the sequels with this strong performance.

The Old Guard keeps just enough from the audience to want more and has me desperate for this character-driven action film to build on its strong premise in future installments.

10. Palm Springs

Years of watching Andy Samberg cultivate a new wave of bizarre and brilliant comedy on Saturday Night Live and Brooklyn Nine-Nine led me to this time-travelling rom-com.

That said, Palm Springs has so much more going for it than Samberg’s charm and the film’s predictable time-loop premise would suggest. The comedy is genuinely funny, and genuine in its greater purpose.

These defeated characters push the limits of their situation, taking advantage of unlimited chances to screw this wedding up in increasingly insane and hilarious ways. But there’s a depth to their performance and sadness that elevates this rom-com from fun to utterly groundbreaking.

Cristin Milioti’s Sarah is the leading lady this film needs to keep the repeating plot moving forward. I love that she isn’t afraid to succumb to the ugliness of insanity and doesn’t wait around for Nyles to get his act together.

This sci-fi rom-com somehow finds a way to tread new ground in a premise that is dripping with familiar romance tropes and Groundhog Day repetition, while being ridiculously fun in the process.

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What TV movies made the top of your list this year? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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